Almost Legal

A look at possible pot measures for Oregon voters in 2014.

eco farm Lady Green’s Treats Sunrise Analytical ballots Brendan Kennedy Dealer Etiquette How to Take Weed Pick your strain intro Image Map 2012 REDUX: THE CANNABIS TAX ACT

Initiative 22: Supercedes existing laws governing cannabis (marijuana); creates commission to regulate cultivation, processing, sale of cannabis.

Who’s behind it: Paul Stanford, who has been filing marijuana-legalization efforts in Oregon since 1988.

The details: Like Stanford’s ballot measure from two years ago, Initiative 22 would set up an independent commission to regulate production and sale of marijuana, and set up marijuana stores that operate similarly to liquor stores. This time, he’d allow the governor to appoint the board that regulates marijuana, rather than only have board members from the marijuana industry. Also, the previous law had no possession limits. This one caps you at 1.5 pounds of pot and 24 homegrown plants.

The prognosis: The measure has received over $70,000 in funding from a Texas-based pro-pot group called the Foundation for Constitutional Protection, but otherwise funding is sluggish.


STANFORD REDUX: THE BLANK CHECK

Initiative 21: Amends constitution; permits adult marijuana use, possession, production, except actions endangering children, public safety; state may regulate.

Who’s behind it: Stanford, again. This is a more expansive parallel measure to Initiative 22.

The details: None, really, except that pot’s constitutionally enshrined as legal for adults 21 and over—and, of course, that we should think about the children. Let God (or the state of Oregon) sort out the rest.

The prognosis: Funding is low, and the language is broader than voters have been willing to approve elsewhere.


THE POT ESTABLISHMENT

Initiative 37: Allows possession, manufacture, sale of marijuana to adults, subject to state licensing, regulation, taxation.

Who’s behind it: New Approach Oregon, led by Anthony Johnson, who co-authored Measure 74 in 2010, which would have instituted marijuana dispensaries. That measure failed, but in 2013 the Oregon Legislature ratified House Bill 3460, a law allowing medical-marijuana dispensaries.

The details: The initiative would hand over regulation of marijuana production and sales to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Those aged 21 and older would be allowed personal possession of 8 ounces of dry marijuana, 16 ounces of marijuana solids and 72 ounces of marijuana liquids. You can grow up to four plants at home, for personal use, and you can give up to an ounce of that to your friend.

The prognosis: The late Peter Lewis, who backed New Approach, didn’t hand out money unless you’d done a lot of polling that said your measure could win. A poll conducted in May 2013 showed 57 percent of Oregonians favor such a measure.


THE LEGISLATURE

Senate Bill 1556

Who’s behind it: Senate judiciary committee chairman Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene) is looking to avoid “unintended consequences” of citizen-drafted legislation by placing the details in the hands of the Legislature after a voter referral.

The details: Home-possession limits for adults are similar to New Approach Oregon’s measure: 8 ounces of marijuana and four plants. The referral requires legislators to work out details regarding drugged driving and protection of minors, in accordance with Department of Justice recommendations.

The prognosis: Prozanski says legislators have been more receptive than they were to a legalization bill proposed in November. For the Senate referral to take effect, however, it will need to receive more votes than initiatives 22 or 37. 

WWeek 2015

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